The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA) required the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force develop the Draft Report on Pain Management Best Practices: Updates, Gaps, Inconsistencies, and Recommendations (Draft Report) which identified gaps or inconsistencies, and proposed updates to best practices and recommendations for pain management, including chronic and acute pain. CARA also required the public to have an opportunity to provide comments on the Draft Report during a 90 day public comment period, which occurred December 31, 2018 – April 1, 2019.

HWF President, Josie Weaver, has submitted comments on behalf of the Healer Within Foundation with input from Tom Rogers of the Qigong Institute and Dr. Rachel Feinberg of the Feinberg Medical Group, a Functional Restoration Program (FRP) that features several wellness practices including Qigong and Tai Chi for people living with chronic pain in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We express sincerest appreciation to both the Qigong Institute and Feinberg Medical Group for their support of Qigong and Tai Chi practice in clinical settings. To view all public comments, visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: www.regulations.gov using docket number - HHS-OS-2018-0027.

The following groundbreaking article originally appeared in the Harvard Women's Health Watch publication in May, 2009. Updated in December of 2015 to include new research findings, it remains an excellent resource and respected introduction to the benefits of Tai Chi.

The Health Benefits of Tai Chi

This gentle form of exercise can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance, and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life.

Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. And you can get started even if you aren't in top shape or the best of health.

Harvard Medical School Reports

Some solid research shows that tai chi can benefit people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, tension headache, and other ongoing, painful conditions. In one trial, for example, 66 people with fibromyalgia were randomized into two groups: one group took tai chi classes twice a week, the other group attended wellness education and stretching sessions twice a week. After 12 weeks, those in the tai chi group reported less pain, fewer depression symptoms, and better sleep than the control group. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

This month, our 5th Saturday Gathering will focus on the topic of Medical Qigong. In keeping with that theme, we share an article contributed by IIQTC Senior Trainer, Brian Trzaskos, PT, LMT, CSCS, CMP, MI-C. Thanks to Brian for this great information and insight!